It is clear from Paul’s parallel statements that “wicked and evil men” are energized by “the evil one.” Our battle is not against flesh and blood but rather against the one who works evil in and through people. Paul’s worldview included a robust understanding of spiritual activity.
Sadly, our faith is sometimes more defined by our culture’s secular, materialistic, naturalistic worldview than by the Bible’s spiritual worldview. Paul recognized that attacks against the truth and believers were spiritual in nature, finding their ultimate source in the evil one. He had no problem asking God for strength to stand firm against these real, spiritual forces. We shouldn’t have a problem asking the same for ourselves and others.
Maybe you can think of someone right now who could use just this kind of spiritual covering against the onslought of the evil one. Take a minute a pray that he or she will be strengthened in faith and be protected from the evil one.
Kip
